Manually or automatically reset switch



MANUALLY 0R AUTOMATICALLY RESET SWITCH Filed Dec. 16, 1920 "In". 'l lllll 'lllll Inventor- 1 George Leddick,

nzw His Atbor-T ey.

Patented Mar. 17, 1925.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE,

GEORGE LEDDICK, OF SCHENECTADY, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO- COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

GENERAL ELECTRIC MANUALLY OR AUTOMATICALLY RESET SWITCH.

Application filed December 16, 1920. Serial No. 431,089.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE LEnnIcK, a citizen of the United States, residing at Schenectady, in the county of Schenectady,

State of New York, have invented certain electric vent-ion are not limited to such use.

It is sometimes desirable that a switch after being operated in response to a predetermined condition, such' for instance as an overload, shall remain in the operated position so that the resetting of the switch shall be under manual control. At other times it is desirable that the switch shall be automatically reset upon the cessation of the predetermined condition. or after a predetermined interval of time.

One of the objects of my invention is the provision of a switch which may be readily adapted to either manual or automatic resetting. In carrying my invention into effect, I provide an improved switch mechanism which may be easily arranged for either manual or automatic resetting.

Another object of my invention is the provision of improved operating means for an electromagnetic switch whereby a pressure is obtained between the switch contacts and whereby the movable part of the switch magnet opens the switch with a hammer blow.

For a better-understanding of my invention, reference is had to the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 is a perspective view of my improved switch; Fig. 2 is a. part sectional detail of Fig. 1, showing the switch mechanism arranged for manual resetting; Fig. 3 is a plan view of the same; Fig. 4. is a part sectional detail of Fig. 1, showing the switch mechanism arranged for automatic resetting; and Fig. 5 is a plan view of the same.

Referring to the drawings, the movable switch operating member 10, carrying the roller contact 11 adapted to engage stationary contacts 12, is pivotally mounted in a support 13 by means of the shaft 1 1. This switch operating member is adapted to be operated by means of the electromagnets 15 and 16. Each of these electromagnets has a plunger with an extension 17 as shown in Fig. 1, and the plunger-s are adapted to operate against the effect of the dash pots 18 and 19. The ends of the plungers of the electromagnets are adapted to engage arms of the pivotally mounted operating lever 20, which is provided with a center portion 21 adapted to engage the lower surface of the pivoted contact member 10. The lever.20 is pivotally mounted in the support 13 at a difi'erent place than the pivot point of the switch member 10. The lever 20 is provided with a catch 22 which is adapted to cooperate with the switch member 10 when the roller contact 11 is in engagement with its stationary contacts, so that the lever 20 will be effective in producing a pressure between the switch contacts when the contacts are closed. By reason of the fact that the lever .20 and the switch contact member 10 are mounted so as to have dilierent centers of movement, the detent- 22 will be moved out of engagement with the switch member 10 when the switch member is in the operated or open position.

The coiled biasing spring 23 surrounding the shaftl t is adapted to be put under strain by the movement of the switch member 10 and is arranged to be operated at will into each of two operating relations with the switch member to bias the switch member to the open or the closed position as desired. Thus when in one operative relation, the elongated end 24 of the spring presses 011 the switch member 10 to the right of the pivotal support and the switch member is biased so as to remain in the open position, and when in the other operative relation, the elongated end 25 of the spring presses on the left-hand side of the pivotal support and the switch member 10 is biased to automatically return to the original or closed position. A catch 26 is provided for detachably engaging the end 25 of the spring to hold the same in the first operating relation and a catch 27 is provided for detachably engaging the end 24 of the spring to hold the spring in the second operative relation.

As thus constructed and arranged, the op eration of my invention is as follows: With transmits the same to the switch member 10.,

- This will cause the switch member to be rotated clockwise a certain angular distance, thereby opening the circuit through the stationary contacts 12. By reason of the fact that the end 24 of the spring 23 presses on the right-hand end of the switch member 10,

. theswitch member 10 will be caused to remain in the open or operated position. In order to close'the switch contacts it is necessary to manually raise the right-hand end of the switch member 10, thereby putting the spring 23 again under strain. Thus when the switch member 10 is moved automatically to open circuit position, it will be moved out of engagement with the detent 22, so that the lever 20 will be permitted to return to its original position when the electromagnets are decnergizcd. YVhen the switch is manually reset, the parts are returned to the positions shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, and the detent 22 is again effective in holding the switch contacts in engagement against the effect of the spring 23 tending to open the contacts. In case it is desired to change the switch so as to be automatical- 1y reset, this may be done by simply unhooking the end 25 of the spring from the catch 26, and hooking the end 2-1 of the spring in.

' the catch 27. The parts will now be in the relative positions as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, and the effect of the spring will be changed so as to cause the switch member 10 to be returned to the closed circuit position instead of remaining in the open circuit position, as in the case of Figs. 1, 2 and 3, The switch is thereby readily adapted to be either manually reset or automatically reset, and those skilled in the art will readily appreciate the advantages of simplicity of construction and arrangement whereby this effect is accomplished.

In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, I have described the principle of operation of my invention, together with the apparatus which I now consider to represent the best embodiment thereof, but I desire to have it understood that the apparatus shown is only illustrative and that the invention can be carried out by other IDEZLIIS.

What I claim as new and desire to secure holding the switch member in the closed position when the said means is arranged to bias the switch member to the open position,

and electro-responsive means for releasing the said latch to permit the switch member to open when the said biasing means is arranged to bias the switch to the open position, and for operating the said switch member to the open position when the said biasing means is arranged tobias the switch member to the closed position.

2. The combination with a movable switch operating member operable between a closed circuit position and an open circuit position, of a shaft for pivotally supporting the same, a biasing spring surrounding the shaft and having elongated ends arranged to engage with said member 011 opposite sides of the pivotal support thereof, a catch for detachably engaging the first end of the springto hold the second end in engagement with the member to bias the member to closed circuit position, a catch for detachably engaging the second end .of the spring to hold the first end in engagement with the contact member on the opposite side of the pivotal supportand bias the member to the open positron and an operating member arranged to oper ate the said switch member to the open position when the switch member is biased to the closed position and having means for holding the switch member in the closed position when the switch member is biased to the open position.

3. The combination with a pivotally mounted switch contact member, of an operating lever for the same having a detent for holding the switch member in the closed position, the switch member being mounted so as to be moved out of engagement with the detent in the open position and the operating lever being positioned with respect to the switch contact member so as to strike the switch contact member a hammer blow and move the contact member to the open position.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 14th day of December. 1920.

GEORGE LEDDICK. 

